There are some evenings when the kitchen feels like a whirlwind. Kids are asking “What’s for dinner?” every five minutes, and I crave something nourishing, comforting, yet simple. That’s precisely when my beloved Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight comes to the rescue.
One chilly evening, after a particularly demanding day of chauffeuring kids and managing homework, I whipped this up. My youngest, who usually eyes anything green with suspicion, devoured it, exclaiming, “Mommy, this is the best au gratin ever!” It warms my heart to know I can serve my family a delicious, healthy meal that truly feels like a hug in a dish.
This incredible Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight quickly became a family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend meals. This simple recipe brings so much joy and flavor to our table.
Table of Contents
Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Keto, Gluten Free
Description
This Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is a nourishing, comforting, and simple family-favorite meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. It offers incredible flavor without the carb count, is easy to prepare, and packed with wholesome vegetables and protein. The creamy, cheesy sauce perfectly complements the tender broccoli, cauliflower, and savory sausage, making it a complete meal in one pan and a fantastic way to get picky eaters to enjoy their veggies.
Ingredients
4 cups Broccoli florets
4 cups Cauliflower florets
1 lb Ground Italian Sausage
1.5 cups Heavy Cream
4 oz Cream Cheese
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Black Pepper
0.25 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish
- Next, steam or blanch the broccoli and cauliflower florets until crisp-tender; do not overcook them. Drain thoroughly
- Meanwhile, brown the ground Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat
- Add the minced garlic to the sausage and cook for one minute until fragrant
- Then, in a separate saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream and cream cheese over medium heat until smooth
- Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese
- Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly
- Now, combine the drained broccoli, cauliflower, and cooked sausage in a large bowl. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the vegetable and sausage mixture
- Gently toss everything to coat evenly
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brow
Notes
Ensure your vegetables are crisp-tender and well-drained before baking to prevent a watery au gratin.
Use good quality, full-fat cheeses for the creamiest sauce. Taste the cheese sauce and adjust seasonings as needed before combining.
For a deeper golden crust, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
For variations, swap Italian sausage for ground turkey or chicken sausage, or incorporate other low-carb vegetables like spinach or mushrooms. Try Gruyère or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy profile.
If using pre-cooked sausage, just crumble and warm it in the skillet with the garlic before proceeding.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes for a crispier top.
This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
This recipe is substantial on its own. If desired, serve with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, roasted asparagus, or steamed green beans.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Keto, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Au Gratin, Sausage, Low Carb, Weeknight Meal, Family Favorite, One Pan Meal, Comfort Food
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS KETO BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER AU GRATIN WITH SAUSAGE DELIGHT
You will absolutely adore this Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight! It delivers incredible flavor without the carb count. This satisfying dish is ridiculously easy to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight solution.
Furthermore, it’s packed with wholesome vegetables and protein, ensuring a truly nourishing meal. The creamy, cheesy sauce perfectly complements the tender broccoli, cauliflower, and savory sausage. Indeed, this Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is a complete meal in one pan.
It’s also a fantastic way to get picky eaters to enjoy their veggies! You simply cannot go wrong with this delicious Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
Gather these simple ingredients to create your own delightful Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 4 cups |
| Cauliflower florets | 4 cups |
| Ground Italian Sausage (mild or spicy) | 1 lb |
| Heavy Cream | 1.5 cups |
| Cream Cheese | 4 oz |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Shredded Cheddar Cheese | 1 cup |
| Shredded Mozzarella Cheese | 1 cup |
| Parmesan Cheese (grated) | 1/2 cup |
| Salt | 1 tsp (or to taste) |
| Black Pepper | 1/2 tsp (or to taste) |
| Optional: Red pepper flakes | 1/4 tsp |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
You can easily adapt this Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight to your family’s preferences. Feel free to swap out the Italian sausage for ground turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option. You can also incorporate other low-carb vegetables like spinach or mushrooms into your Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight.
For a different cheesy profile, try Gruyère or Monterey Jack in place of cheddar. Dairy-free? Use coconut cream and your favorite dairy-free cheeses to make a suitable Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight. Add a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce for an extra layer of warmth.
Just as this au gratin is versatile, many other low-carb dishes can be customized to perfection. If you’re looking for another fantastic keto-friendly side or appetizer, consider this classic Keto Deviled Egg Recipe.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Next, steam or blanch the broccoli and cauliflower florets until crisp-tender; do not overcook them.
Drain thoroughly. Meanwhile, brown the ground Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
Add the minced garlic to the sausage and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Then, in a separate saucepan, whisk together the heavy cream and cream cheese over medium heat until smooth. Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Now, combine the drained broccoli, cauliflower, and cooked sausage in a large bowl.
Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the vegetable and sausage mixture. Gently toss everything to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown. This delicious Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is now ready!
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
For the best Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight, ensure your vegetables are crisp-tender, not mushy, before baking. This prevents a watery au gratin. Drain them exceptionally well.
Use good quality, full-fat cheeses for the creamiest sauce. Do not skimp! Taste the cheese sauce before adding it to the vegetables; adjust seasonings as needed.
If you want a deeper golden crust on your Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight, you can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch it carefully to prevent burning. This easy au gratin recipe thrives on flavor.
Achieving a perfect golden crust and creamy texture is key to any satisfying baked dish, much like this delicious au gratin. For another incredibly flavorful and cheesy keto casserole that brings a delightful kick, explore the Best Keto Jalapeño Popper Casserole Recipes for a Spicy Dinner.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
This Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight makes fantastic leftovers. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual servings until warm.
Alternatively, for a crispier top, reheat the entire dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight freezes well too. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
Your flavorful Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight makes a hearty meal on its own. However, if you desire a little something extra, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette perfectly complements its richness.
Alternatively, a side of roasted asparagus or steamed green beans adds more healthy greens. Keep it light, as the Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is quite substantial.
While this au gratin is a complete meal, a well-chosen side can always enhance your dining experience. If you enjoy tender, flavorful vegetables prepared with rich flavors like garlic and parmesan, you might also love our Garlic Parmesan Melting Cabbage recipe.
FAQS
Is this Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! This Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is perfect for meal prepping. You can prepare it ahead of time and bake it later, or bake it completely and divide it into individual portions.
Can I make this Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight vegetarian?
You certainly can make a vegetarian version. Omit the sausage and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or a plant-based ground “meat” alternative. However, it wouldn’t be a Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight in that case!
What if I don’t like broccoli or cauliflower?
You can substitute other low-carb vegetables. Try using green beans, Brussels sprouts, or even zucchini in your au gratin. This Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight is very flexible.
Can I use pre-cooked sausage?
Yes, if you use pre-cooked sausage, just crumble and warm it in the skillet with the garlic. Then proceed with the recipe for your Keto Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin With Sausage Delight.
The culinary technique known as au gratin involves topping a dish with a browned crust, typically made from breadcrumbs, cheese, or a combination of both. This method provides a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting and visually appealing meal.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
(Estimates based on 8 servings. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450-500 kcal |
| Fat | 38-42 g |
| Saturated Fat | 20-22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7-9 g |
| Fiber | 3-4 g |
| Net Carbs | 4-5 g |
| Protein | 20-22 g |